Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, heart disability, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected hiatal hernia and GERD, is granted. The initial rating of 30 percent for service-connected hiatal hernia and GERD is also granted. However, the issue regarding service connection for a thoracolumbar back disorder remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his mechanical low back pain and intervertebral disc syndrome was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his low back disability has been dismissed because he withdrew the appeal in a written statement.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the claims as they are no longer relevant.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lumbar spine disorder, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and scar, inner lower lip due to issues with the Veteran's current address. The VA needs to verify his new address and obtain updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability and for a TDIU prior to February 26, 2014 due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran must be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and facet joint arthritis. The effective date for the grant of service connection remains May 22, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition, finding insufficient evidence to link his current disability to service.

The Board denied service connection for back, left elbow, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU was also denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria or demonstrate that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination and lack of all service treatment records. A new examination is needed to address all aspects of the Veteran’s military service, including his duties performed during active duty.

The Board has denied clothing allowances for knee braces and insoles, but has remanded the issue of back brace allowance due to lack of clarity in the record.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diagnosed degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is as likely as not related to his documented in-service accident, and service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the evaluation of lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and the TDIU claim due to incomplete development. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical records, a new VA examination is required, and the claims will be re-adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his DDD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, a Statement of the Case, and examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, an upper back condition, a bilateral eye condition, and a left arm condition due to outstanding records from the Veteran's time in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability and its relationship to his service-connected right ankle disability. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board denied entitlement to extraschedular evaluations for service-connected right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the schedular ratings adequately described the Veteran's disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was granted service connection. The issues of secondary service connection for lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.